Mengru Li
I’m Mengru and I’m from China. As an undergraduate student majoring in Spanish, I supported myself by working as a tour guide for China International Travel Services. I gave tours to international visitors and acted as a spokesperson for the company in promotional movies shot in foreign languages. In my third year, I left to teach Chinese in Mexico City. I took a year off between undergraduate and graduate school to work as a product expert for Tesla. In 2021, I relocated to Madrid to conclude my marketing internship at Ultralytics, a computer vision firm, and my Master of Science in Marketing at University Carlos III. I wanted to continue my education and enhance my profile, so I decided to pursue the Master in International Relations at IE University.
"IE University is not only highly ranked in the world and rich in corporate resources but also an innovative school with a teaching style and content that is up-to-date."
Madrid: an international city for success in international studies
Studying Spanish as an undergraduate student allowed Mengru to become familiar with and fond of many Spanish universities. That’s how she came to learn about IE University, a school she describes as innovative with an up-to-date teaching style.
Without the CSC-IE Scholarship for Sustainable Development for Chinese CandidatesIE-CSC (China Scholarship Council), pursuing the Master in International Relations at IE University would not have been possible for Mengru. The scholarship, which is offered by IE University and the China Scholarship Council, covers tuition, accommodation, airfare and insurance for recipients enrolled in the Master in International Relations, Master in International Development, Master in Applied Economics or the Master of Laws (LL.M.).
Mengru decided to apply to the CSC-IE Scholarship because the program is a talent development initiative for foreign firms in China. Through this journey, she hopes to pursue her lifelong goal of working for an international organization. At IE University, she is able to talk about international issues with students from around the world and gain valuable experience to set her down the right career path.
One of the most valuable lessons she has taken away from her time at IE University is the ability to be open-minded and considerate while still exuding self-assurance and confidence. Studying and making friends at IE University has been a fascinating adventure for Mengru.
IE University prepares students to thrive in an international environment
Mengru enjoys the many student organizations and sports available at IE University. She frequently uses the gym in IE Tower, and enjoys participating in music days and professional development activities. Plus, she is a member of the IE Marketing Club, where she has been able to meet new people and broaden her experience outside of school.
When she is not in class, Mengru loves hanging around different spots in Madrid, which she describes as a dynamic, bustling and well-organized metropolis. She loves trying new restaurants throughout Madrid, and even has a favorite hot pot spot, Yiguo. Life in the city has allowed Mengru to meet many people from around the world.
The CSC-IE scholarship program has proven transformative for Mengru and many other Chinese students, allowing them to study in Madrid, a city with a vibrant international community. Prospective students need to be proactive, ambitious and able to showcase their desire to bring about constructive, long-lasting change to our society.
The first thing Mengru recommends for students who wish to be eligible for this scholarship is to make sure they have grades that demonstrate academic excellence. Prospective scholarship candidates should be interested in international politics, international relations or other related fields and also willing to study in Madrid. Mengru says that an applicant’s chances of being accepted into the prestigious CSC-IE Scholarship program improve the more they study international politics and related topics.
As for her future, she hopes to begin her career with an internship at the United Nations in New York or a similar international organization; however, she does not know where her career will take her. On a more personal note, Mengru hopes to end up somewhere by the sea, where she can enjoy good food, sing and be a positive impact on others.
